Department of Child and Family Services
Coverage of Department of Child and Family Services in the Nexus archive.
- DCFS: 18-month-old in state custody less than a month before death
An 18-month-old girl, Melanie Trahan, who was in state custody since June 25, was hospitalized on July 21 with brain injuries and later died. Her foster father, Alberto Marin, was arrested for second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. The Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is conducting an internal review of its foster care procedures.
- Unhoused parents want to preserve childhood for their kids: 'I want to give her everything'
Homelessness among families with young children has risen in California, with over 74,000 children under 4 experiencing homelessness between 2022 and 2023. Unhoused parents in Southern California, including Jessica and Erika, face challenges like job loss, rent increases, and domestic violence, while striving to protect their children's childhoods and secure stable housing.